A 19-year breakfast tradition on Route 30 in Pomona is coming to an end. T.W. Howells, the counter-and-booth diner known for its breakfast and lunch menu, will close for good on October 2 at 2 p.m., leaving longtime regulars with just two weeks to say their goodbyes.
The diner announced its permanent closure on Facebook in late September, giving patrons roughly two weeks of advance notice before the final service, according to New Jersey 101.5. No official cause for the shutdown was cited in the announcement. In its post, the restaurant thanked its loyal customers, dedicated staff, suppliers, friends, and community members, saying it will cherish the memories, friendships, and shared experiences built over nearly two decades, as first reported by Cat Country 107.3.
T.W. Howells operated at 341 White Horse Pike in the Pomona section of Galloway Township, offering an indoor space with a counter and an outdoor seating area. Though the property sits within Galloway Township, it carries an Egg Harbor City postal address and 08215 ZIP code, per WhatNow.
A Diner Built on a Father's Unfulfilled Dream
The restaurant's roots trace back to two brothers, Thomas and William Howell, who founded T.W. Howells in memory of their father, a World War II veteran who died before he could open a restaurant of his own. Thomas served as the diner's chef, lending the T to its name, while William's contribution supplied the W, according to historical background reported by Patch. The brothers' restaurant honored their father's dream, giving the closure added weight for a family business built around his memory.
Neighbors Say Goodbye
T.W. Howells sat directly next to sports bar Tailgaters along the same stretch of White Horse Pike, and the two businesses shared more than a parking lot. Tailgaters posted its own farewell on social media, calling the diner's team the “best-class-act neighbors anyone could ever dream of having,” according to Cat Country 107.3.
Part of a Wider Squeeze on Independent Diners
The closure lands amid a rough stretch for independent restaurants statewide. New Jersey recorded 213 restaurant closures in the first six months of 2026, ranking 12th nationally among states for total shutdowns, per Patch. The pressure extends across the wider region: the combined New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island metro area logged 491 restaurant closures in the same period, the highest total of any metropolitan area in the country, according to a report from RestaurantData.
Some restaurant owners have cited food costs and other economic pressures, Patch reported.
Growth Continues Along the Same Corridor
T.W. Howells operated on White Horse Pike in Galloway Township, a roughly 115-square-mile township of about 38,000 residents, according to Wolf Commercial Real Estate.
For now, the diner's final hours are set for October 2 at 2 p.m., closing out a run that began with a son's tribute to his father's unrealized dream.
